Other environmentally friendly initiatives include a laundry water recycling system that saves 375,000 gallons of drinking water each month, low-energy lighting in all permanent light fixtures, a food waste composting program, a $700,000 hotelwide water heating system that increases previous efficiency by more than 50 percent, and a saline injection system that cleans the swimming pool naturally, without harmful chemicals.

Modern restaurant

A few more details are emerging about the new restaurant called Modern that is taking over the Copeland’s of New Orleans site in Buckhead.

Modern will feature American contemporary cuisine with a fusion of Japanese and French styles, said Stephanie McCall, the leasing agent who represented Tower Walk, the shopping center where Modern will reside.

Modern, owned by Kane Xu, is expected to take over occupancy of the 12,302-square-foot space at 3365 Piedmont Road by the end of August, she said. The restaurant is expected to open in February 2012.

Modern is the second restaurant for Xu, who also owns Nuage, a seafood restaurant and bar, in Cos Cob, Conn.

The new restaurant will also have a market component, McCall said, selling spices, sauces, wines, seafood and cheese.

Copeland’s in Buckhead closed Aug. 14, but two other restaurants at 3131 Cobb Parkway in the Cumberland area and 1142 Barrett Parkway in Kennesaw remain open.

Staffing up

The new Courtyard by Marriott in Decatur is scheduled to open in January, and new staff has already been hired for the reflagged property.

Haifley joined the property and Atlanta-based Noble Investment Group, which bought the former Holiday Inn at 130 Clairemont Ave. in Decatur, in May.

Prior to working for Noble, Haifley spent more than 16 years with John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts LLC, serving as the opening general manager for both the Courtyard by Marriott in downtown Fort Smith, Ark., and the Residence Inn by Marriott, Joplin, Mo.

Harrison also recently joined the Noble Investment Group. Originally from Columbia, S.C., Harrison has 13 years of experience in the hospitality industry, most recently as director of sales for the Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel & Conference Center in Buckhead.

The 179-room hotel, which has 15,000 square feet of meeting space at the nearby Decatur Conference Center, is undergoing $9 million in renovations.

Restaurant week

Midtown residents can eat, drink and be merry during Midtown Restaurant Week, which begins Aug. 27.

Participating restaurants in the weeklong event, which is in its sixth year, will offer $25 and $35 three-course, prix fixe dinner menus.